 |
 |
 |
 |
Click on the pictures to enlarge |
|
|
|
|
|
| As
early as the mid 11th Century, two churches and
a large priory were built on the banks of the river.
The very size of Notre-Dame church, Cluny’s
‘eldest daughter’, is quite amazing.
La Charité-sur-Loire, huddled around the
monastery, which was itself surrounded by the city
walls, was to become one of the most coveted towns
in the region. |
|
The
Hundred Years War, a tremendous fire in 1559
and the religious wars were the downfall of this
powerful city. Traces of the past are still visible
today and are part of the town’s attractions.
In 1789, only twelve monks still
lived in the monastery. After the French Revolution,
Notre-Dame church and the priory were sold to private
owners and were thus preserved. In 1840,
Prosper Mérimée, an official inspector
of historical monuments, was not in favour of the
Route Royale passing through La Charité and
therefore saved Notre-Dame church from being cut
in two and the monument was classified. |
|
|
| |
|
In
1998, Notre-Dame was recognized
by UNESCO
as being “an important stopping point on the
Pilgrimage Route of Santiago de Compostela”
and they added the site to the World Heritage List. |
|
|
|
